Macbook 13" RAM 2GB vs. 4GB

[Euphoria36]

I am a new mac user and I'm looking to to buy the Macbook. I was wondering if I should shell out the extra $100 to upgrade the 2GB RAM to 4GB? I plan on running parallels and SAS (windows based statistical analysis software) somewhat regularly. Will the 4GB make much of a difference in terms of use -or is the 2GB sufficient?

Thanks!

 

[MacDawg]

RAM is the cheapest and easiest way to boost performance

If you are going to run Parallels, by all means upgrade the RAM

However, don't pay the Apple premium
Buy 3rd party RAM and upgrade yourself

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Eidorian]

I'd definitely go for the RAM upgrade. DDR3 prices have climbed quite a bit too.

 

[Surely]

Agreed with all above me.

4GB will definitely make a noticeable difference over 2GB.

 

[DJ FLEX]

I bought my Macbook 13" some months ago, i had a crappy Dell with 4GB RAM in it, so i pooped on the DELL and swapped the DDR2 RAM into the Macbook. The Macbook was MUCH faster, hopefully soon i can afford a couple 4GB to throw into it as well. I recommend using 3rd party RAM as well, same performance less money spent.

 

[iObama]

Get 4. Even while running iTunes, iChat, Safari and Word, I wish I had 4 gigs. The more the better.

 

[KnightWRX]

Get 4. Even while running iTunes, iChat, Safari and Word, I wish I had 4 gigs. The more the better.

Why ? From top :

PhysMem: 762M wired, 630M active, 270M inactive, 1661M used, 2436M free

That is with iTunes, Transmission, MSN, Skype, Firefox, OpenOffice Writer open. 1.6 Gigs used, of which 270M is inactive (freed and ready to be reallocated).

Seriously, more isn't always better, sometimes it's just a waste.

However, for the OP, running a Windows VM will be memory intensive, especially if you dedicate over 1 gig of RAM to it and more and 64 MB of video memory.